Final answer:
High-pressure cells like the South Indian and South Atlantic high pressure cells affect cyclone movement, steering them due to the clockwise rotation around these systems in the Southern Hemisphere. High pressure acts as a barrier, redirecting the path, and potentially affecting the intensity of cyclones by altering atmospheric conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The South Indian high pressure cell and South Atlantic high pressure cell can significantly impact the movement of cyclones. High-pressure cells are associated with sinking air and generally clearer skies. Conversely, cyclones are characterized by low pressure centers, strong winds, and heavy rain. The Coriolis force, due to the Earth's rotation, causes movement of air around high and low-pressure systems. In the Southern Hemisphere, the rotation is clockwise around high-pressure systems and counter-clockwise in low-pressure systems, like cyclones.
When cyclones move westward from the Indian Ocean, they can be affected by the South Indian high pressure cell positioned over the southern Indian Ocean. As cyclones approach, they tend to be steered away due to the clockwise flow around the high-pressure cell, affecting their potential path as they generally move around the high-pressure area. Similarly, the South Atlantic high pressure cell influences cyclones in the South Atlantic; however, tropical cyclones are rare in the South Atlantic due to cooler water temperatures and unfavorable atmospheric conditions.
These high-pressure cells can act as barriers that redirect the path of tropical cyclones, potentially affecting their direction and also may impact their intensity by modifying environmental conditions such as moisture and stability in the atmosphere that are critical for cyclone development and maintenance.